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PHILIPPINE CHIEF. President Rodrigo Duterte has been under fire for his derogatory remarks against women and their capabilities but he says such comments were just sarcastic remarks. File photo from Malacanang

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (UPDATED) – After the backlash over his string of derogatory comments against women, President Rodrigo Duterte said that he believes in the "competence and capability" of women

Duterte, however, qualified his statement, saying in a speech in Davao City on Thursday, May 24, that female excellence does not apply to all aspects of life.

“I believe in the woman. The competence and capability pero hindi lahat sa buhay dapat. Hindi ka, hindi, hindi. Dapat lang (but not in all aspects of life. Not you. No, no. It's just right). It’s not appropriate,” he said.

The President mentioned this while saying that when he was still Davao City mayor, he asked female soldiers to leave Paquibato, a district in his hometown under military watch because of the presence of the New People’s Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Citing this example, Duterte said he could not count on women at all times, claiming that "they could not stand threats and intimidation."

(I don't want to have female soldiers and police in the countryside. Unlike men, at a young age we've been engaged in fistfights, brawls, gunfights, And we grew up with a mindset that is sometimes probe to violence. These women, they are prim an proper. Just one look to their mother and they'll melt. Then you'll let them become cops and have them engage in fighting. Oh no.)

Human Rights Watch and other groups have called him out for the remark, as it encouraged state forces to commit sexual violence during armed conflict, violating the international humanitarian law. Duterte defended his remarks as sarcasm. – Rappler.com

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Welcome to Rappler, a social news network where stories inspire community engagement and digitally fuelled actions for social change. Rappler comes from the root words "rap" (to discuss) + "ripple" (to make waves).